Former Team Canada rower and Pan American medalist David Kay has on July 13 set out on a 42 day 7,700 kilometer cross-Canada journey to raise awareness of China's human rights record from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Launched by the Canada Tibet Committee, Kay will be cycling across Canada visiting 46 cities this summer to encourage Canadians to reflect on the Olympic spirit and China's responsibility to improve human rights as the host of the Games.

"China made a commitment to improve its human rights record and it's highly questionable whether they've fulfilled that commitment," said Kay. "Race for Rights is meant to be as much a celebration as it is a demonstration. I'm hoping the attention my bike ride brings provides one more reason for China to uphold the commitment it made, commitments that contributed to its being awarded the Olympics in the first place."

Each provincial leg of Kay's journey will be dedicated to a Chinese human rights activist or victim of the recent Tibet uprising. In Newfoundland and Labrador, David will be riding in the memory of an unidentified Tibetan girl reportedly shot dead by China's People's Armed Police (PAP) outside the southern gate of the Tsuklakhang temple, in Lhasa, at about 12:00 noon somewhere around May 20 (source Tibet Custom, UK).

Additionally, for each 50 kilometers cumulatively pledged to Race for Rights, a meter of the Trans Canada Trail will be named in honor of a victim of the Tibet uprising or a Chinese human rights reformer by the Canada Tibet Committee.

David Kay is an avid cyclist and accomplished rower with a strong record in championing social and environmental justice. David has won medals in rowing at several international competitions as a member of Team Canada. In 2000, he made a round-trip cycle tour from Canada to Guatemala. At home in Kingston, David serves on various committees including the OPIRG Board of Directors and the Kingston Environmental Advisory Forum. David is also an Athlete Ambassador for Right to Play.